KILSYTH - William Chalmers Burns

Chapter 1
kilsyth

1839

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Being the substance of a statement by the rev. Mr. Burns, minister of the parish, drawn up at the request of the
presbytery of glasgow, with additions.

I was admitted to the charge of this parish on the 19 th april, 1821, on which i entered “in weakness, and in
fear, and in much trembling. (1 corinthians 2:3 – my first text on sabbath, the 21 st april. ) i saw a beautiful
valley before me, like that of sodom, rich and well watered; but, alas! It bore too close a resemblance to it
also in its spiritual and moral aspect. Yet there were several lots, yea jacobs, among them, who prayed and
wrestled for the return of the time of revival. This was often referred to in the prayers of my predecessor,
and familiar to the ears of our people, who seemed to think it an honor to have their father’s names and
sepulchers thus build up and honored, while they, alas! Followed not their example.

A visitation of every family in a parish, after a minister’s induction, is generally an important event in its
history. Nothing could have been more kind than the reception i received from all classes and
denominations, and which has met me ever since in my annual rounds. The appearance, too, at church, and
the solemnity and prayers at funerals, struck me as indicative of more of a spirit of religion than i had
anticipated: but these good symptoms were overbalanced by the appalling number who attended no place
of worship, and by the woeful prevalence of intemperance, and the lightness with which that vice seemed to
be regarded, even by religious professors. I was struck with the meaning of our savior’s words, “because
iniquity shall abound, the love of many waxeth cold. “

there were four or five prayer meetings at that time in the whole parish: one of these, composed of the
session members, and continued ever since the days of robe. In 1823, classes on weekday evenings, for
youth of both sexes from fourteen to twenty years, were opened by myself. Four of the elders, who are now
so active in the cause of revival, were members of the young men’s class. Of late years a great increase in
numbers and efficiency has taken place in the sabbath schools; and in 1826, a most important improvement
took place in the mode of parochial teaching. The mind and heart were daily plied with the lessons of heavenly
as well as secular wisdom. In 1829, however there were frightful out breakings of wickedness, arising out of
drunken quarrels. A day was set apart (january, 1830) for fasting and prayer on this account, and the
reasons thereof set forth by a memorial from the kirk session. It was very solemnly observed, and was
followed by an evident blessing. In 1832, the cholera visited this country. We saw a dark cloud discharging
itself on the neighboring town of kirkintilloch; and our people seemed to reason with themselves, “whether
this comes from east or west, whether from natural or moral causes we may be assured of a visit of this dire
calamity. ” (yet it never actually came to us! ) we had prayer meetings weekly in town and the two baronies,
which were flocked to by many, anxious that they might not die unprepared. The panic soon subsided, and
the prayer meetings were thinned. I see it marked in my day-book, may 13, 1832, “intimated prayer
meetings for revival of religion. ” several lectures were given on the subject; at the same time commenced the
monthly tract distribution, and exertions to arrest the tide of intemperance, and the conducting of funerals
without any other service excepting a prayer. In march, 1836, after the communion, a prayer meeting was
held in the church, especially for revival, addressed by the rev. Mr. Walker of muthil, who had preached on
the subject on the friday before, after which the prayer meetings in dwelling-houses were considerably

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increased in number, and in attendance – all in connexion with the church. The methodists had been for
some years more or less active, both in the town and the east barony, and had roused not a few careless
individuals; and the members of the relief set about similar meetings. Sabbath evening lectures, of a very
plain and familiar character, have been more or less resorted to, but regularly for three seasons; and have
been mentioned by several individuals as the means of first impressing their hearts. A goodly number of
poor people came out to these evening sermons, who could not be brought to attend on the ordinary
services. Prayer meetings have been referred to by many as the means of their first serious thought; and
sermons delivered in the churchyard last summer, by mr. Somerville of anderston, and by myself, have
been often mentioned as having been blessed to awakening and enlivening. Nine months ago, a new
missionary meeting began, which interested many of our people. Still, after all these and other symptoms of
good, it was not till tuesday, the 23 rd july, that a decided and unquestionable revival took place. We may
well say of the amazing scene we have witnessed, “when the lord turned our captivity we were as men that
dreamed. we have, as it were, been awakened from a dream of a hundred years.

The communion had been, as usual, upon the third sabbath, and 21 st day. Intimation had been made
upon the saturday, that the minister would wish to converse with such persons as were under religious
concern, inasmuch as two or three had previously called upon that errand. The effect was that several other
individuals did come to converse. The monday evening was the half-yearly general meeting of our
missionary society, when a sermon was delivered by dr. Burns of paisly – text, isaiah 52:1: “awake, ” &c. It
was intimated that mr. William c. Burns, who had preached several times with much power during the
solemnity, would address the people of kilsyth next day, if the weather proved favorable, in the open air,
the object being to get those to hear the word who could not be brought out in the ordinary way. It was
known too, that he was very shortly to leave this place for dundee, and probably soon to engage in
missionary labors in a distant land. The day was cloudy and rainy. The crowd, however, in the market
place was great; and, on being invited to repair to the church, it was soon crowded to an overflow – the
stairs, passages, and porches, being filled with a large assemblage of all descriptions of persons in their
ordinary clothes. The prayer was solemn and affecting; the chapter read without any comment was acts 2.
The sermon proceeded from psalm 110:3, “thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power. ” throughout
the whole sermon there was more than usual seriousness and tenderness pervading the hearers; but it was
towards the close, when depicting the remarkable scene at kirk of shotts, on the monday after the
communion there, 1630, when, under the preaching of mr. John livingstone, a native of kilsyth, five
hundred were converted, that the emotions of the audience became too strong to be suppressed. The eyes of
most of the audience were in tears; and those who could observe the countenances of the hearers expected
half an hour before, the scene which followed. After reciting mr. Livingstone’s text, ezekiel 36, “a new heart
will i give, ” &c, and when pressing upon his hearers the all-important concern of salvation, while, with very
uncommon pathos and tenderness, he pressed immediate acceptance of christ, each for himself – when
referring to the affecting and awful state, in which he dreaded the thought of leaving so many of them whom
he now saw probably for the last time – when, again and again, as he saw his words telling on the audience,
beseeching sinners, old and young, to embrace christ and be saved – when he was at the height of his
appeal, with the words, “no cross no crown, ” – then it was the that emotions of the audience were most
overpoweringly expressed. A scene which scarcely can be described took place. I have no doubt, from the
effects which have followed, and from the very numerous references to this day’s service, as the immediate
cause of their remarkable change of heart and life, that the convincing and converting influence of the holy
spirit was at that time most unusually and remarkable conveyed. For a time the preacher’s voice was quite
inaudible; a psalm was sung tremulously by the presenter, and by a portion of the audience, most of who

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were in tears. I was called by one of the elders to come to a woman who was praying in deep distress;
several individuals were removed to the session-house, and a prayer meeting was immediately commenced.
Dr. Burns, of paisley, spoke to the people in church, in the way of caution and of direction that the genuine,
deep, inward working of the spirit might go on, not encouraging animal excitement.

The church was dismissed after i had intimated that we were ready to converse with all who were
distressed and anxious, and that there would be a meeting again in the evening for worship at six o’clock.
We then adjourned to the vestry and session-house, which were completely filled with the spiritually-
afflicted, and a considerable time was occupied with them. Several of the distressed were relieved before we
parted. These were persons believed to be christians, but who were not before this rejoicing in hope.
Others continued for days in great anxiety, and came again and again; but are now, generally speaking, in a
peaceful and hopeful state, and have been conversing with a view to admission to the lord’s table.

In the evening the church was again crowded to excess. Mr. Lyon of banton lectured on the parable of the
prodigal son, and mr. William c. Burns preached from matthew 18:3, “except ye be converted, ” &c. The
impression was deepened; but there was no great excitement, the aim of the preacher being to forward a
genuine work of the spirit. (mr. W. C. Burns found it impossible to leave a scene so interesting, and mr.
Lyon went to dundee to supply his place. ) a great many came to the manse to speak about their souls.
Evening meetings in the church were continued without intermission, and even in the mornings
occasionally. Our hands were full, but the work was precious, and often delightful. Our elders and praying
men were, and still are, very useful in aiding us. He who was honored as the chief instrument of the
awakening was earnestly sought out, and our part in it became comparatively small till the work had made
progress.

On thursday, the 25 th , the day proving favorable, the meeting was called in the market square, where an
immense crowd assembled at half-past six. From the top of a stair mr. W. C. Burns addressed upwards of
three thousand from psalm 71:16, “i will go in the strength of the lord god. the emotions of the audience
were powerful, but for the most part silent, though now and then there might be the utterance of feeling,
and, in countenances beyond numbering, expression of earnest and serious concern. Six young girls, from
fourteen to sixteen years, two of them orphans, came next day bathed in tears, and seeking christ. The scene
was deeply affecting. This day (26 th ) many conversations were held by mr. W. C. Burns in the session-house;
by myself and my other son (on trial for license) in the manse. Upon sabbath, the 28 th , the church was
crowded, and with the unusual appearance of not a few females without bonnets and men and children in
weekday and working dresses. I preached from hebrews 4:16. In the afternoon we met at three in the
churchyard, where there assembled not fewer than four thousand. The sermon by mr. W. C. Burns was solid
and impressive, from romans 8:1. He finished about five o’clock; but after the blessing was pronounced,
about a third part either remained or soon returned, or various ages, but especially young, which led to
various questions, at first, and then remarks, and appeals frequently repeated, which led to great meltings of
heart in many, and, in a few cases, to considerable agitation; so much so, that my son and i continued to
address the hearers in various ways, and to sing and pray over and over again, the people still unwilling to
depart. Four of our pious men, two of whom were elders, were called to pray at intervals, which they did in
a most appropriate and affecting manner. Even at half-past eight it was with difficulty we got to a close,
proposing to have a meeting next morning at seven in the church. A great many still pressed around as we
left the churchyard for the manse, and several remained till eleven or twelve o’clock. Next morning i went
to the church at seven, after calling on an aged woman on the way, whose cries of distress arrested me. Even

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at that early hour there were from two to three hundred met in solemn silence, joining with me in prayer and
praise, and listening to a short exposition of song of solomon 2:10-14. Through the whole day conversations
were held in the manse, and in the vestry and session-house. In the evening the bell rung at half-past six.
The church being before that filled, and as great a number pressing forward, it was found necessary to
adjourn to the market square. Mr. Somerville of anderston addressed a very large assembly of most
attentive hearers, from john 16:14. At the close i was called to see three or four very affecting cases of mental
distress, and there was still a desire to get more of the word and prayer. There was an adjournment to the
church, where at first, as i understand (for i was engaged as above stated, ) there was considerable
excitement, but which subsided into solemn and deep emotion, while mr. W. C. Burns and mr. Somerville
addressed the people, and joined in prayer and praise. Next day at eleven a. M. , mr. Somerville again
addressed a full congregation in the church.

Ever since the date to which i have brought this imperfect narrative, with the exception of one evening,
we have had meetings every evening for prayer, for the most part along with preaching of the word. On the
evening referred to (the 6 th august, ) there was held a meeting in the relief church, which, was crowded by
various classes, the work expressly approved of by the ministers present, mr. W. Anderson of glasgow, and
mr. Banks of paisley. From the first the people of the relief congregation seemed interested in the work
equally with our own people, and there appears to this day to be much of the spirit of love diffused among
us. The state of society is completely changed. Politics are quite over with us. Religion is the only topic of
interest. They who passed each other before, are not seen shaking hands, and conversing about the all-
engrossing subject. The influence is so generally diffused, that a stranger going at hazard into any house
would find himself in the midst of it.

The awakening in the newly-erected parish of banton has of late become most intensely interesting. At a
prayer meeting in the school there, the whole present, above one hundred men and women, not a few of
them hardened miners and colliers, were melted. Every night since this day there have been meetings in the
church of banton, and many earnest inquirers. The missionary, mr. Lyon, whose labors have been for
upwards of a year greatly blessed, has been aided, as i have been, by many excellent friends in the ministry,
and the work goes on there in a manner fully as surprising as here. I am under obligations to my brethren
for their ready and efficient services. I may just mention mr. Duncan of glasgow, mr. Macnaughtan of
paisely, mr. Moody of edinburgh, mr. M’donald of urquhart, and mr. Jamieson willis, as having been
longest with us, and given valuable assistance; with mr. Salmon, our former teacher.

We are tried by the intrusion among us of teachers who are likely to sow divisions, some of them,
stranoubt, much safer in doctrine than others, who come among us, from good motives, are in danger of
injuring our converts by over-kindness, and bringing them too much into notice. Enemies are waiting for
occasion of triumph; and professors of religion, of a cold description, are doubting and waiting a long time
ere they trust that any good is doing. Meantime the work proceeds most certainly; and from day to day
there are additions to the “church of such as shall be saved. ” the sermons preached are none of them
eccentric or imaginative, but sound and scriptural; and there is not, as formerly a tendency to compare the
merits of preachers, but a hearing in earnest, and for life and death.

The waiting on of young and older people at the close of each meeting, and the anxious asking of so many
what to do” – the lively singing of the praises of god, which ever visitor remarks – the complete desuetude
of swearing and foolish talking in our streets – the order and solemnity at all hours pervading; the song of
praise and prayer almost in every house – the cessation of the tumults of the people – the consignment to the

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flames of volumes of infidelity and impurity – the coming together for divine worship and heavenly
teaching of such a multitude of our population day after day – the large catalogue of new intending
communicants giving in their names, and conversing in the most interesting manner on the most important
subjects – not a few of the old, careless sinners, and other frozen formalists, awakened, and made alive to
god – the conversion of several poor colliers, who have come to me, and given the most satisfactory account
of their change of mind and heart, are truly wonderful proofs of a most surprising and delightful revival.

The case of d. S. , collier, may be mentioned as interesting. He had for some time been thoughtful, and
had given up entirely taking any intoxicating liquor and might be characterized as one of the more hopeful
description. Since the present awakening, he was deeply convinced of his sin and misery, and for a month
was deeply exercised and spending much time in secret prayer and reading the scriptures. On the evening
of the 21 sl of august, he had a meeting with several of his praying companions, and spent the night in
prayer, praise, and converse. He appears to have obtained peace during that night, and came home to his
house in a very happy state of mind. After taking two hours rest, he worshipped with his family, and
proceeded to his work. Being the foreman, it was his lot to descend first into the pit, which he did with
unusual alacrity and with prayer. On reaching the bottom, the air instantly exploded, and in a moment he
was ushered into eternity! How soothing and cheering the thought that he was escaped the everlasting
burnings, and has passed literally through the fire to the regions of glory!

But the bounds of this communication will not permit enlargement. The work i consider as ongoing and
increasing. The limits of satan’s domains here are diminishing daily. The account not a few give of their
conversion is, that they could not think of being left a prey when others were making their escape. There is
thus a provision made for the increase of the kingdom of christ by a kind of laudable jealousy – a pressing in
ere the door be shut.

I have been engaged, and still continue to be engaged, in conversing with new communicants; and never
before now have i had such pleasant work in listening to, and marking down, the accounts which the
youngest to the oldest give of the state of their minds. While some, who seem to be savingly impressed,
have given a somewhat figurative account of their feeling, yet, in by far the greater number of instances, they
give most scriptural and intelligible accounts of their convictions, and of the grounds on which they rest
their peace. Their experiences are evidently so various, as not to be in any degree copies of each other. Yet
they all end in building upon the sure foundation, christ in the promise, and christ formed in them. The
question naturally occurs, and has been put, “is there anything peculiar in the subjects and mode of address
of the sermons which have been so remarkably successful? i answer, that upon a ground work of solid,
clear, and simply expressed views of divine truth, there was a great measure of affectionate, earnest
pleading, rich exhibition of the fullness and freeness of the gospel, eminently calculated to convey to the
hearers the conviction and feeling of the sincerity of the preacher, and of the rich grace of the lord jesus. It
has also been a matter of general remark, that there is an unction and deep solemnity in the prayers of the
preacher who has been honored to begin this work, and which, perhaps, even more than the sermons, have
made way to the heart. We have had much precious truth presented to us by my much beloved brethren, to
whom it must be gratifying to be assured, that in conversations with my people, there have been references, i
may say, to each of their discourses, as having been profitable, as well as acceptable; and that having been so
well supported by their cooperation, and the presbyterial notice taken of the subject, we cherish the pleasing
hope, that, under the special and continuing blessing of the great head of the church, this will prove not
only a genuine, but an extensive and a permanent revival – the only means of arresting our downward

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course, and effecting that blessed consummation, which the diffusion of merely intellectual knowledge will
never accomplish.

William burns minister of kilynth. Manse, kilsyth, september 16, 1839.